The Way To The Stars [1945] [DVD]

 

 

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In the County of Wiltshire where I live, there are a number of abandoned old World War two airfields. They are mostly overgrown now. Sometimes you may still find a rusty old nissan hut or a small crumbling stretch of exposed runway. They stand as mute testament to a time when our very shores were threatened by Nazi Germany and we were exposed to the depredations of the Luftwafe. Young men flew into battle from these airfields to protect our freedom. Many never returned. This film is all about them.

The title of the film "The Way to the Stars" is taken from the Latin motto of the RAF. The film was directed by Anthony Asquith and the screenplay was partly written by the great playwright Terence Rattigan, who was well qualified as he served as a Flight Lieutenant in the RAF during the war. It is largely based on his own experiences during that conflict. The film boasts a wonderful cast of great British actors.

The film is set largely around the fictional RAF station of Halfpenny field and the nearby village of Shepley. It is set between 1940 and 1944. John Mills plays a new young Pilot Officer just arrived at the base. He is greeted by a Flight Lieutenant played by Michael Redgrave. The more experienced Redgrave shows the inexperienced Mills the ropes. He is a quick learner and soon becomes the much respected pilot of a Bristol Blenheim. We then watch the characters lives unfold around the air base and the village. We see their loves and the human tragedy when some fail to return from their dangerous missions. We later see the Americans in their Flying Fortresses enter the fray in their ebullient and colourful manner.

Although there is very little in this film to excite the viewer who wants to see lots of action, this in no way lessens the strong impact of the film. The terrible risks and the stresses involved in those perilous missions are well conveyed through the simple human responses to tragic loss. This is told through the servicemen on the base, the villagers of Shepley and the loved ones. The acting is superb. Redgrave and Mills are perfectly cast as the typical RAF Officer of the period, although the handle bar moustaches were sadly lacking. Trevor Howard turns in a brief but effective performance as the young Squadron Leader. This was only his second film role and his first that was credited. Stanley Holloway gives a lovely comic performance as a local wag who props up the bar in the local, and Rosamund John provides a very pretty love interest for Redgrave. That great old British screen veteran Basil Radford provides wonderful support.

The film evokes a very realistic picture of the period, so my Mother tells me, and she should know. This gives it a freshness to this day. On watching the village scenes today it is a bit like looking through a glass darkly to glimpse a more innocent and contented era. All this despite the problems that beset our nation at that time. Those deserted airfields are now a place where phantoms come to brood and mourn. We should not forget the sacrifices that those many young men from the RAF and the USAAF made during our Country's desperate hour of need. This film is a fitting elegy to their memory. The film is worthy of the full restoration package, but until that time this will have to suffice. Highly recommended.

A very good example of the genre. Great characters and I particularly liked the interaction between the British and the Americans.
However I was a bit disapointed with the quality of the DVD, the sound was good but the pictures were almost smudgy in appearance.

I first watched this as a young teen, and it was the first time WW2 captured my imagination. The journey that John Mills' character makes, from rookie to wise old pro, is superbly portrayed. The home front, the GIs, the waiting for the phone to ring, or the last plane counted back: it's all there.

I was thrilled to find it on DVD as my 'recorded from TV' version is totally worn out.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific World War II Classic
I have seen this film many times on a sunday afternoon when they used to play them in the 60s and 70s. I am so happy to finally own it on DVD. Read more

Published 4 months ago by Mrs. Suzanne R. O'shea

4.0 out of 5 stars A bit soapy, but inventive and emotional
Sappy, melodramatic and dated at times, but also very well done, and emotionally
understated enough that the sappiness doesn't take over the experience. Read more

Published 8 months ago by K. Gordon

5.0 out of 5 stars A splendid film
This is a splendid film. Many of the best British actors of the day who had long careers in the industry gave superb performances. Read more

Published 11 months ago by S. Johnson

5.0 out of 5 stars Stiff upper lips all round
Archetypal B+W British war film with John Mills et al keeping calm and carrying on at a bomber airfield somewhere in England. Read more

Published 16 months ago by Dan Walder

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic
One of the Classic British war Films of all time with some of Britains Classic actors John Mills, Michael Redgrave, Risamund John, Stanley Holloway and 'introducing' Trevor... Read more

Published 18 months ago by Peter Nash

5.0 out of 5 stars classic
flag waver from way back ,but as war films go not that bad ,john mills does his stuff again in a tight little story that keeps you entertained buy it.

Published on 17 Nov 2009 by E. R. Kirby

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic
A classic war movie - a reflective view of the air war - the Americans and the very stiff upper lip of the British. Read more

Published on 26 Oct 2009 by R. C. J. Stewart

4.0 out of 5 stars Sir John Mills
I saw him in his first small part in "In which we serve" and buy swiftly the next DVD - which was "We dive at dawn". Read more

Published on 4 Oct 2009 by Sandra Gerlach

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